Intelligent steam iron

ABSTRACT

A steam iron includes a drip-collecting unit disposed between a base and a water reservoir and formed with a drip chamber. The base includes an ironing plate, a heating element, a steam chamber, and a plurality of steam spray ports. The drip-collecting unit cooperates with the water reservoir to define a drip passage. When the temperature of the ironing plate reaches a temperature value, an automatic control unit automatically opens the drip valve so as to allow for flow of water from the water reservoir into the drip chamber via the drip passage. A stop valve is operable to move between an open position whereat flow of water from the drip chamber into the steam chamber is allowed, and a closed position whereat flow of water from the drip chamber into the steam chamber is prevented.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Chinese Application No. 200620007680.0, filed on Mar. 22, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a steam iron, and more particularly to an intelligent steam iron with an automatic flow control.

2. Description of the Related Art

Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional steam iron includes a handle 11 and a base 12. A water storage chamber 13 is formed in an assembly of the handle 11 and the base 12. The base 12 has a steam chamber 14 in fluid communication with the water storage chamber 13 via an inlet 121, and a plurality of steam spray ports 122. A drip valve 15 includes an operation knob 151 and a valve rod 152 that are interconnected fixedly. The operation knob 151 is operable to effect engagement of a lower end of the valve rod 152 with the inlet 121 so as to prevent flow of water from the water storage chamber 13 into the steam chamber 14. A heating element 16 is disposed within the base 12 for heating the base 12 and the water received within the steam chamber 14.

When water within the steam chamber 14 is heated, steam is generated within the steam chamber 14. The steam flows out of the steam iron via the steam spray ports 122. However, since there is no proper flow control between the water storage chamber 13 and the steam chamber 14, an excessive amount of water may flow from the water storage chamber 13 into the steam chamber 14. As a result, water, rather than steam, may flow from the steam iron via the steam spray ports 122 onto the clothes to be ironed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of this invention is to provide an intelligent steam iron that has an automatic flow control, which can prevent the leakage of water via steam spray ports.

According to this invention, a steam iron includes a drip-collecting unit disposed between a base and a water reservoir and formed with a drip chamber. The base includes an ironing plate, a heating element, a steam chamber, and a plurality of steam spray ports. The drip-colleting unit cooperates with the water reservoir to define a drip passage. When the temperature of the ironing plate reaches a temperature value, an automatic control unit automatically opens the drip valve so as to allow for flow of water from the water reservoir into the drip chamber via the drip passage. A stop valve is operable to move between an open position whereat flow of water from the drip chamber into the steam chamber is allowed, and a closed position whereat flow of water from the drip chamber into the steam chamber is prevented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of this invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of this invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partly sectional side view of a conventional steam iron;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of an intelligent steam iron according to this invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic bottom view of the first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the first preferred embodiment when a drip valve and a stop valve are closed;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the first preferred embodiment when the drip valve and the stop valve are opened;

FIG. 6 is a an exploded perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of an intelligent steam iron according to this invention;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the second preferred embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the second preferred embodiment when a drip valve and a stop valve are closed; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the second preferred embodiment when the drip valve and the stop valve are opened.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before the present invention is described in greater detail in connection with the preferred embodiments, it should be noted that similar elements and structures are designated by like reference numerals throughout the entire disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, the first preferred embodiment of an intelligent steam iron according to this invention includes a base 2, a drip-collecting unit 3, a water reservoir 4, a first automatic control unit 51, a first drip valve 52, and a stop valve 6.

The base 2 includes an ironing plate 20, a steam chamber 21, a plurality of steam spray ports 22 (only one is shown in FIG. 4) in fluid communication with the steam chamber 21, a heating element 23 for heating the ironing plate 20, an opening 24 formed in a top surface of the base 2, and a horizontal mounting plate 25 connected fixedly to and disposed above the ironing plate 20.

The water reservoir 4 is disposed on the base 2, and has a water chamber 41, as well as a pair of first and second projecting tubes 42, 43 extending downwardly from a bottom surface thereof and in fluid communication with the water chamber 41.

The drip-collecting unit 3 is disposed between the base 2 and the water reservoir 4, and is formed with a drip chamber 30. In this embodiment, the drip-collecting unit 3 includes a valve seat member 31 made of polyphenylene sulfide, a valve member 32 made of silica gel, and a water seal 33 made of silica gel. The valve seat member 31 and the valve member 32 define the drip chamber 30 therebetween.

The valve seat member 31 is disposed fixedly on the mounting plate 25 of the base 2, and includes a horizontal plate body 310 having a top surface formed with first and second projecting tubes 311, 312. The first projecting tubes 42, 311 of the water reservoir 4 and the valve seat member 31 are aligned with each other. A lower end of the first projecting tube 42 of the water reservoir 4 abuts against and is in fluid communication with an upper end of the first projecting tube 311 of the valve seat member 31. The first projecting tubes 42, 311 of the water reservoir 4 and the valve seat member 31 define cooperatively a first drip passage 7. The second projecting tubes 43, 312 of the water reservoir 4 and the valve seat member 31 are aligned with each other. A lower end of the second projecting tube 43 of the water reservoir 4 abuts against and is in fluid communication with an upper end of the second projecting tube 312 of the valve seat member 31. The horizontal plate body 310 has a hole 315 formed therethrough and in fluid communication with the first projecting tube 311 and the drip chamber 30.

The water seal 33 is sleeved on the upper ends of the first and second projecting tubes 311, 312 of the valve seat member 31 and the lower ends of the first and second projecting tubes 42, 43 of the water reservoir 4 in a close-fitting manner. As such, the water seal 33 establishes a watertight seal between the first projecting tubes 42, 311 of the water reservoir 4 and the valve seat member 31, and between the second projecting tubes 43, 312 of the water reservoir 4 and the valve seat member 31.

The valve member 32 is disposed under and connected fixedly to the valve seat member 31, and includes a chamber-defining wall 320 cooperating with the valve seat member 31 to define the drip chamber 30.

The first drip valve 52 is disposed within the first drip passage 7, and includes a projecting post 321 and a resilient member 523. The projecting post 321 extends integrally and upwardly from the chamber-defining wall 320 of the valve member 32 and through the hole 315 in the horizontal plate body 310 of the valve seat member 31, and is formed with an integral valve plate 322 at an upper end thereof. The resilient member 523 is configured as a coiled compression spring, and is sleeved on the projecting post 321 of the valve member 32 between the horizontal plate body 310 of the valve seat member 31 and the chamber-defining wall 320 of the valve member 32. As such, the valve plate 322 of the projecting post 321 is biased to abut against the horizontal plate body 310 of the valve seat member 31 so as to close the hole 315 in the valve seat member 31, as shown in FIG. 4. This prevents flow of water from the water chamber 41 in the water reservoir 4 into the drip chamber 30 via the first drip passage 7.

The first automatic control unit 51 is connected to the first drip valve 52 so as to automatically open the first drip valve 52, thereby allowing flow of water from the water chamber 41 into the drip chamber 30 via the first drip passage 7 when the temperature of the ironing plate 20 reaches a first temperature value, as shown in FIG. 5. In this embodiment, the first automatic control unit 51 includes an elongated push plate unit, and the first temperature value is set at about 135° C. The push plate unit has a fixed end 511 disposed fixedly on and in thermal communication with the ironing plate 20, and a movable end 512 abutting against the chamber-defining wall 320 of the valve member 32. When the temperature of the ironing plate 20 reaches the first temperature value, with reference to FIG. 5, the movable end 512 of the first automatic control unit 51 moves upwardly so as to remove the valve plate 322 from the horizontal plate body 310 of the valve seat member 31, thereby allowing for flow of water from the water chamber 41 into the drip chamber 30 via the first drip passage 7. Such flow control between the water chamber 41 and the drip chamber 30 ensures that water in the steam chamber 21 is vaporized completely before exiting the steam spray ports 22. That is, the leakage of water from the steam chamber 21 via the steam spray ports 22 is prevented. Thus, the object of this invention can be achieved.

The stop valve 6 is disposed between the drip chamber 30 in the drip-collecting unit 3 and the steam chamber 21 in the base 2, and is operable to move between a closed position shown in FIG. 4 and an open position shown in FIG. 5. In the open position, flow of water from the drip chamber 30 into the steam chamber 21 is allowed. In the closed position, flow of water from the drip chamber 30 into the steam chamber 21 is prevented. The valve member 32 is formed with a water passage 323 that is in fluid communication with the drip chamber 30 and the steam chamber 21 and that has a downwardly converging inlet 324 disposed at an upper end thereof. The stop valve 6 is configured as an upright valve rod disposed movably on the water reservoir 4, and has a tapered lower end that engages and closes the inlet 324 of the water passage 323 when the stop valve 6 is disposed in the closed position, and that is spaced apart from and disposed above the inlet 324 of the water passage 323 when the stop valve 6 is disposed in the open position. In this embodiment, the stop valve 6 includes a rod body 61 and an annular seal member 62. The rod body 61 extends through the second projecting tubes 43, 312 of the water reservoir 4 and the valve seat member 31. The annular seal member 62 is sleeved fixedly on the rod body 61, and is in sealing engagement with the annular inner surfaces of the second projecting tubes 43, 312. A rotary wheel 63 is disposed rotatably on the water reservoir 4, and is operable to move the stop valve 6 vertically on the water reservoir 4.

FIGS. 6 to 9 show the second preferred embodiment of an intelligent steam iron according to this invention, which is a modification of the first preferred embodiment. Unlike the first preferred embodiment, the drip-collecting unit 3 cooperates with the water reservoir 4 to further define a second drip passage 8, within which a second drip valve 55 is disposed. The second drip passage 8 and the second drip valve 55 are similar in construction to the first drip passage 7 (see FIG. 4) and the first drip valve 52 (see FIG. 5), respectively. A second automatic control unit 54 is connected to the second drip valve 55, and is configured as a bimetal push plate unit. In this embodiment, each of the first and second automatic control units 51, 54 includes a circular base plate 513, 541 fastened to and in thermal communication with the ironing plate 20, and an elongated push plate 514, 542 welded to an outer peripheral portion of the base plate 513, 541 at one end, and abutting against the valve member 32 at the other end. The base plates 513, 541 and the push plates 514, 542 are made of iron, and are plated with nickel. When the temperature of the ironing plate 20 reaches the first temperature value (135° C.), the first drip valve 52 is activated by the first automatic control unit 51 so as to open the first drip passage 7 (see FIG. 4). Hence, water flows from the water chamber 41 into the drip chamber 30 via the first drip passage 7 (see FIG. 4). When the temperature of the ironing plate 20 is below a second temperature value, which is set at about 170° C., the second drip passage 8 is closed, as shown in FIG. 8. When the temperature of the ironing plate 20 reaches the second temperature value, the second drip valve 55 is activated by the second-automatic control unit 55 so as to open the second passage 8, as shown in FIG. 9. As a consequence, water flows from the water chamber 41 into the drip chamber 30 via the first and second drip passages 7, 8 (see FIG. 4).

With this invention thus explained, it is apparent that numerous modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. It is therefore intended that this invention be limited only as indicated by the appended claims. 

1-11. (canceled)
 12. A steam iron comprising: a base including an ironing plate. a heating element for heating said ironing plate, a steam chamber, and a plurality of steam spray ports in fluid communication with said steam chamber: a water reservoir disposed on said base and formed with a water chamber a drip-collecting unit disposed between said base and said water reservoir and formed with a drip chamber. said drip-collecting unit cooperating with said Water reservoir to define a first drip passage; a first drip valve disposed within said first drip passage: a first automatic control unit connected to said first drip valve so as to automatically open said first drip valve, thereby allowing flow of water from said water chamber in said water reservoir into said drip Shamber in said drip-collecting unit via said first drip passage when a temperature of said ironing plate reaches a first temperature value: a stop valve disposed between said drip chamber in said drip-collecting unit and said steam chamber in said base and operable to move between an open position whereat flow of water from said drip chamber into said steam chamber is allowed, and a closed position whereat flow of water from saidvdrip chamber into said steam chamber is prevented. wherein said base includes a horizontal mounting plate connected fixedly to and disposed above said ironing plate: said water reservoir has a bottom surface formed with a first projecting tube in fluid communication with said water chamber: said drip-collecting unit includes a vaive seat member disposed fixedly on said mouhtlng plate of said base and including a horizontal plate body having a top surface formed with a first projecting tube in fluid communication with said drip chamber, said first projecting tubes of said water reservoir and said valve seat member being aligned with each other. a lower end of said first projecting tube of said water reservoir abutting against and in fluid communication with an upper end of said first projecting tube of said valve seat member, said first prolecting tubes of said valve seat member and said water reservoir defining cooperatively said first drip passage. and a water seal sleeved on said upper end of said first projecting tube of said valve seat member and said lower end of said first projecting tube of said water reservoir in a close-fitting manner so as to establish a watertight seal therebetween: and wherein said bottom surface of said water reservoir is further formed with a second projecting tube in fluid communication with said water chamber; said top surface of said horizontal plate body of said valve seat member is further formed with a second projecting tube, said second projecting tubes of said water reservoir and said valve seat member being aligned with each other, a lower end of said second projecting tube of said water reservoir abutting against and in fluid communication with an upper end of said second projecting tube of said valve seat member; said water seal is sleeved on said upper end of said second projecting tube of said valve seat member and said lower end of said second projecting tube of said water reservoir in a close-fitting manner so as to establish a watertight seal therebetween; and said valve rod includes a rod body exten g through said second projectingtubes of said valve seat member and said water res oir, and an annular seal member sleeved fixedly on said rod body and in sealing tngagement with annular inner surfaces of said second projecting tubes.
 13. A steam iron comprising: a base including an ironing plate. a heating element for heating said ironing plate, a steam chamber, and a plurality of steam spray ports in fluid communicatfon with said steam chamber; a water reservoir disposed on said base and formed with a water chamber: a drip-collecting unit disposed between said base and said water reservoir and formed with a drip chamber, said drip-collecting unit cooperating with said water reservoir to define a first drip passage: a first drip valve disposed within said first drip passage: a first automatic control unit connected to said first drip valve so as to automatically open said first drip valve, thereby allowing flow of water from said water chamber in said water reservoir into said drip chamber in said drip-collecting unit via said first drip passage when a temperature of said ironing plate reaches a first temperature value; a stop valve disposed between said drip chamber in said drip-collecting unit and said steam chamber in said base and operable to move between an open position whereat flow of water from said drip chamber into said steam chamber is allowed, and a closed positfon whereat flow of water from said drip chamber into said steam chamber is prevented, wherein said drip-collecting unit cooperates with said water reservoir to further define a second drip passage, said steam iron further comprising: a second drip valve disposed within said second drip passage; a second automatic control unit connected to said second drip valve so as to automatically open said second drip valve, thereby allowing flow of water from said water chamber in said water reservoir into said drip chamber in said drip-collecting unit via said second drip passage when the temperature of said ironing plate reaches a second temperature value.
 14. The steam iron as claim 13, wherein said second temperature value is about 170° C. 